Mediation available amid pandemic
So many in our community are struggling right now. Workers have lost their jobs. Businesses have closed their doors. It’s a stressful time. Fortunately, caring and compassionate people in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors have stepped up to help. Food is delivered to our keiki’s schools and to feed families. Tiny homes are built to shelter those who are houseless. Assistance programs let folks pay one rent or utility bill.
The island’s two nonprofit community mediation centers, Kuikahi Mediation Center and West Hawaii Mediation Center, also wanted to make a difference in the lives of our community members. So we teamed up to launch the Rapid Response Landlord Tenant Mediation Program.
This program is specifically designed to aid in both residential and commercial rental situations during the pandemic. If you are a residential or commercial tenant or landlord in Hawaii County, you qualify for free mediation services.
Services include neutral third parties, our mediators, to help landlords and tenants talk-story to see if you can work something out during these tough economic times.
Early conversations are a proactive approach to financial problems that could become overwhelming if nothing is done. We want to prevent evictions, homelessness, business closures, and massive debt. We want to support mutual agreements and outcomes that everyone can live with.
When people call our offices, staff will respond on the day of the call (or on Monday if you call on a weekend). We immediately reach out to the other person to see if they’re open to having a mediated discussion. We work with both parties to schedule a mediation as soon as it suits those participating. Currently, we’re holding phone or video conference mediation, so people can participate from wherever they are.
Mediation is a safe and informal process facilitated by our professionally trained volunteer mediators. They help people to talk and listen, explore options, and try to find a negotiated solution that works for everybody. It’s completely voluntary and confidential.
In court, a judge is the decision maker. In mediation, the participants make the decisions. This allows for a wide variety of solutions to satisfy people’s needs.
Take control of your situation. Let us help you talk it out.
Julie Mitchell and Eric Paul
Kuikahi Mediation Center and West Hawaii Mediation Center
Letters policy
Letters to the editor should be 300 words or less and will be edited for style and grammar. Longer viewpoint guest columns may not exceed 800 words. Submit online at www.westhawaiitoday.com/?p=118321, via email to letters@westhawaiitoday.com or address them to:
Editor
West Hawaii Today
PO Box 789
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745